It’s been two weeks since Isabella started to study the art of sword. Erik gave her a light sword at first, assuring her that he will make it heavier once her strength improves in the near future.They practice the sword every afternoon in her courtyard. Mornings consist of studies in history, politics and literature."Very good. Keep your stance to balance your body." Erik instructed.Isabella was swinging her sword at him, watching his every movements as she calculated and anticipated his every strike.She was able to dodge his attacks and he was also able to block hers. After some time, in split seconds, she missed his movements and her sword flew from her hand. Erik’s sword was pointed at her throat. She was shocked, looking at the tip of his sword shining from the rays of light coming from the sun."I yield." She said panting."You did well." Erik replied, panting as well. He took a deep breath and sheaths his sword."I still have much to learn." She said."In just two weeks
"What is the meaning of this?" The queen yelled. "Let go of me!"Isabella didn’t realize that she still had her grip on the queen’s wrist. She was pulling her hand forcefully,so Isabella quickly let her go."Ahhh!" The queen went out of balance and fell on the ground."Mother!" Her stepsisters said in unison. They kneeled down to help their mother."You ungrateful wench!" Her elder stepsister Helena yelled. "How could you do that to queen mother?!""But she said to let her go." Isabella said innocently."Well that was what I heard as well." Erik backed her up. His face had a big smile."How dare you laugh at the queen?!" Camila yelled. "Guards, seize him!"The queen’s guards moved forward to seize him when Isabella blocked their way."No!" She yelled with a surprised force and authority.The people around were taken by surprise. This was the first time Isabella had yelled so loud. She was known to be meek and silent.But thinking about what her stepmother would do to Erik made her st
"Nonsense!" yelled. "If you open the bandage then the wound will get infected. You are asking this of my sister to ruin her face, don’t you?"Helena stepped forward and defended her younger sister."Williams, son. Are you sure of what you saw? Maybe you were just mistaken." The queen sweet talked her son. But Williams stood firm in his resolve."I am sure of what I saw." Williams said. "I was going to Camila’s courtyard to pay her a surprise visit. I heard she was recovering from her burns so I got some ointment from the royal physician Dr. Crane. But who knew my sister didn’t need it.""What? When did you visit?" Camila asked worriedly. "Maybe you saw it by mistake. Sometimes the lighting in my courtyard is dim.""I came to visit you three days ago at noon time. The sun was up in the sky and it was so bright. I cannot be mistaken." Williams answered firmly.’I was careless.’ Camila thought inwardlyShe looked worried. She didn’t anticipate that her little brother will make a surprise
She was right. If General Marcus and the crown prince were not here to defend Isabella, then the queen would have punished her. If Williams wasn’t here to tell them that Camila was lying, then Erik would have fought with the queen’s guard and be branded as a traitor to the kingdom.Isabella saw what they were aiming for. They wanted Erik to be out of the way so that Isabella would lose my defender. They still want to bully her despite everything they have done since she came into the palace. Isabella knew there will be no end to this hatred. If she doesn’t stand up for herself now, it will get worse.Rage burned up inside her. She walked towards Camila in a daze. She couldn’t seem to stop herself, to stop her body from moving forward.’SLAP!’ The sound of the slap rang around the courtyard.Camila was holding her cheek, the one that Isabella have just slapped. She looked at Isabella with shock and disbelief."You bitch!!! How dare you..." Camila yelled.’SLAP!’ Isabella hit her on th
"Isabella, sister." Williams ran towards her. "Wow, what you did was amazing. I can’t believe you actually stood up against queen mother and sisters. And when you gave Camila that double slap. ‘Whack’ ‘Whack’. It was awesome. You showed her."Williams reenacted Isabella’s defense and they both laughed about it."Haha, really? Did I look that way?" Isabella asked amused."Yes you were great." Williams said enthusiastically. "And the way you made eye contact with queen mother. I get the shivers every time I see her. She is very strict.""Enough bad mouthing your mother." General Marcus approached them. "Isabella dear. I am sorry." General Marcus sighed."What for, grandpa? You didn’t do anything wrong." Isabella said."I feel that I have been a negligent father to my daughter. I was on the battle field when she was growing up. And after the war, I thought I had to make it up to her and spoiled her with love and affection. I gave in to her every whim, thinking it was for her own happines
"But how?" The General asked. "No one has thought her to use magic before.""Let me explain it to you general." Erik said. "Imagine a bottle of champagne. The champagne is the magic power and the bottle is the body of the person with magic.""The body is like a container. Even if the person doesn’t know how to use magic, it is still contained inside. Emotion is the key that is used to harness magic. If since young the person is taught how to use magic, then it will flow smoothly out. Like opening a bottle of champagne. The cork is carefully opened and the contents can be poured carefully.""But if a person was not taught how to use magic or even doesn’t know they have magic, then it can be a dangerous. It can also lead to death." Erik said."Lead to death?" Erik was shocked. "But how can it be so dangerous.""Like I said, emotion is used as a key to harness magic. If a person that wasn’t educated, how to use magic suddenly had a surge of emotion then the magic inside his or her body c
Williams and Isabella were at his courtyard eating some snacks. The sun was just about to set."Sister, is master Erik a great teacher?" Williams asked for the tenth time.Since they were alone, Williams has been bombarding Isabella with questions about Sir Erik. He looked very excited with the idea of Erik being his master in the art of sword."I have told you for how many times now, he is a great teacher. He is not only good with the sword but knowledgable as well." Isabella giggled. "Our morning studies has never been dull. But I will warn you beforehand, he is a strict teacher.""It seems like he is a strict teacher. But I am prepared for whatever challenges he will give me." Williams said with determination.Isabella was excited. Her little brother is looking up to Erik. He may have seen Erik as an idol to look up to.When Williams and Isabella were chatting, something fluffy brushed on Isabella’s legs. She was curious to what it was and looked under the table. Then she saw and h
It was night time and Erik had retired to his room. He thought about the happenings that happened earlier in the day.He never thought that Isabella will learn fast with the lessons he had thought her. If only she was given the proper education when she was young, he was sure that Isabella would be the most knowledgable of all the princesses. And not to mention, her sword skills are improving day by day. In fact she can really surpass his own sword skills if she becomes diligent in her practices.Erik walked outside of the veranda. He wasn’t sleepy yet because of the many thoughts that were swirling on his mind."Your highness." A voice came from the shadows and Kyler emerged. He kneeled down before Erik."What is it Kyler?" Erik asked."We have tracked the Spartan prince until the borders of Wales and Geneva." Kyler said."And?" Erik asked with authority."Please forgive me, your highness." Kyler said with remorse. "He and his acquaintances were able to elude us.Erik sighed. "Is it